Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a newer way to treat aortic stenosis, especially for people who can’t have open-heart surgery. This less invasive procedure can lead to a faster recovery, fewer complications, and a shorter hospital stay.

If you’re getting ready for a TAVR procedure, it’s important to know how to take care of yourself afterward. This guide will help you understand what you need to know about recovering from TAVR, including tips to follow and what to expect after the procedure.

What Is Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement?

TAVR, also called transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), is a less invasive procedure to replace a damaged or diseased aortic valve. Unlike open-heart surgery, TAVR doesn’t require opening the chest. Instead, a doctor inserts a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) through an artery — usually the femoral artery in the groin — and guides it to the heart.

Once the catheter in place, your doctor will put the new valve inside the damaged one. This helps the valve open better. This procedure can relieve the symptoms of aortic stenosis and improve overall heart function.

Why Is TAVR Performed?

TAVR is most often used to treat aortic stenosis, a condition in which the aortic valve becomes too narrow and limits blood flow. This can happen with age as calcium builds up or the valve thickens.

Aortic stenosis can also be caused by structural heart diseases, such as a bicuspid aortic valve — a condition you’re born with, in which the valve has two cusps (flaps) instead of three — or damage from rheumatic heart disease.

The narrower your heart valve is, the harder your heart has to work to push blood through to the rest of your body. Over time, this extra strain can damage your heart muscle and lead to heart failure if not treated. TAVR replaces the damaged valve and allows blood to flow normally, taking the pressure off your heart.

What To Expect After TAVR

Understanding the steps after your procedure can help ease your concerns and prepare you for the journey ahead. Here’s what to expect after TAVR:

Immediate Postprocedural Care

After the TAVR procedure, you’ll likely go to an intensive care unit (ICU) so your care team can monitor you closely. Nurses and doctors will check your vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels. You may be hooked up to IV lines (for fluids or medication) and other equipment that helps track how your heart is doing.

Hospital Stay

Once you’re stable, you’ll move from the ICU to a regular hospital room. A hospital stay after TAVR is typically shorter than after open-heart surgery, usually just one to three days. The exact length will depend on how you recover and if any problems come up.

During this time, your healthcare team will keep a close eye on your progress. You won’t be discharged from the hospital until your doctors confirm that it’s safe for you to continue recovery at home.

Recovery at Home: Tips for a Smooth Transition

Going home after a TAVR procedure marks the start of an important healing phase. Following your doctor’s instructions can help you feel better faster and reduce the risk of complications. Here’s what to expect during your recovery at home.

Rest and Light Activity

During the first few days and weeks, it’s essential to allow your body time to heal. Your healthcare team will give you detailed instructions about what you can and can’t do and when.

You’ll have restrictions around physical exertion that gradually get less strict as time passes. For example, during the first week, you won’t be able to lift anything over 10 pounds or perform more chores that take effort, like mowing the lawn.

During the first month, you’ll also need to skip sports and vigorous exercise like running or biking.

You can gradually increase your activity once you get your healthcare provider’s OK and you feel stronger. Always listen to your body to make sure you don’t overdo it.

Incision Care

It’s important to keep your TAVR incision site clean and dry. Gently wash the area with mild, unscented soap and water, and pat it dry — don’t rub.

Avoid hot showers and soaking in the tub until the area has fully healed, which may take about six weeks. If you notice discoloration that spreads, swelling, or drainage, contact your doctor right away to prevent any complications.

Postoperative Medications

You’ll likely be prescribed several short-term and long-term medications to help with your recovery. These treatments often include:

• Blood thinners to prevent blood clots from forming on your new heart valve
• Pain relievers, such as over-the-counter options like acetaminophen (Tylenol), to ease discomfort around your incision
• Statins to help lower cholesterol and reduce your risk of future heart problems
• Antibiotics to protect your new heart valve from endocarditis (a serious heart infection)

You may also need to take antibiotics before certain procedures, including dental work, for the rest of your life to keep your new valve safe. Be sure to inform all your healthcare providers, including your dentist, about your heart valve replacement. This will help ensure you receive the right care and avoid any complications.

Diet Recommendations

Eating a heart-healthy diet is essential for both your recovery and your long-term health. Here are some key recommendations:

• Eat plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables. Produce is packed with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants that support heart health.
• Choose whole grains like quinoa, brown rice, and whole-wheat pasta instead of refined grains.
• Go for plant-based healthy proteins, such as lentils, beans, and tofu, which are lower in saturated fat than red meat.
• Cut back on sodium (salt) by limiting processed and fast foods, which can raise blood pressure.
• Add healthy fats from foods like nuts, seeds, avocados, and fatty fish such as salmon.
• Cook with nontropical oils, such as olive or canola oil, instead of butter or coconut oil.
• Stay hydrated by drinking water throughout the day. Be sure to follow any specific fluid instructions from your doctor.

Follow-Up Appointments

Follow-up care is an essential part of your recovery. You’ll need to see your cardiologist (heart doctor) regularly to check how your heart and new valve are doing.

Your first appointment will probably take place a week or two after you leave the hospital. After that, you may have checkups at one month, three months, and then once a year. At these appointments, your doctor might do imaging tests such as an echocardiogram to see how well your new valve is working and make sure your heart is healing properly.

Signs of a Serious Problem

Most people recover well after TAVR, but it’s important to watch for signs of possible problems. Contact your doctor right away if you notice any of these symptoms:

• Persistent chest pain or pressure
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Severe or sudden swelling in your legs or abdomen
• Fever or signs of infection around your incision site
• Unusual dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
• Sudden numbness, confusion, slurred speech, or vision changes, which could be signs of a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)

Keeping an eye on these warning signs — and reaching out to your doctor if something doesn’t feel right — can help you stay on track and feel more confident during your recovery after a TAVR procedure.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On MyHeartDiseaseTeam, the social network for people with heart disease and their loved ones, more than 62,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with heart disease.

Are you recovering from TAVR? What has been the most challenging part of your recovery so far? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.